On completion of the module the student will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the emergency nurse’s role in caring for vulnerable populations in the emergency department and compare to evidence based guidelines and recommendations.
2. Critically discuss the nursing care and management of the older person in the emergency department and compare to national and international evidence-based guidelines and recommendations.
3. Critically discuss the role of the emergency nurse in caring for paediatric patients that present to the emergency department with common injuries and illnesses.
4. Identify and recognise the needs of women who present to the emergency department during the peripartum period, including the organisation of timely transfer to appropriate specialities and if required supporting the unplanned birth in the emergency setting.
5. Critically discuss the nursing care and management of the patient with social, psychological and mental health needs such as homeless individuals, refugees and sex workers who present to the emergency department.
6. Critically examine the role of the emergency nurse in recognising and managing patients’ pain in the emergency department both from a pharmacological and non-pharmacological perspective.
7. Design a clinical initiative that implements a change in practice particular to adults with specific needs attending the emergency department. Critically analyse and discuss how they would plan, implement and review this change in the emergency department.

This module aims to increase the emergency nurse’s knowledge and skills in the holistic care of patients presenting to the emergency department with specific needs. This module will focus on the needs and challenges of caring for the older person, child, woman in labour, person with social, psychological and mental health needs, such as homeless individuals, refugees and sex workers who present to the emergency department. The clinical component is designed to provide the student with clinical opportunities to develop essential skills in caring for a specific person and to optimise care through the application of relevant theory to practice. The principles of effective multidisciplinary teamworking, evidence-based practice and best practice guidelines will underpin the module.

Not applicable to this module.

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

Insofar as possible, students will receive feedback in advance of the next due assignment and workshop.